XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS AGAINST NIGERIANS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA: A CALL FOR SYNERGY AND AN APPEAL FOR GLOBAL CONDEMNATION.

  We are again witnessing with sadness and revulsion the growing xenophobic attacks on innocent and law-abiding Nigerians in some parts of the Republic of South Africa in the past few weeks. To say the least,these barbaric attacks have become one too many in recent years and,therefore, stand condemnable by all men and countries of goodwill. United Nations Charter on Peoples Rights and African Union’s Conventions and Protocols,to which both Nigeria and the Republic of South Africa are signatory, allow for free movement of persons,goods and services. It is ,therefore, bewildering and unsettling that it is fast becoming a pastime of some nations of the world,for every flimsy reason, to treat Nigerians resident in their countries as objects of disdain and torture .This has got to stop. I,therefore, call on our leaders,especially, members of the Executive,to join hands with the Parliament and engage the leadership of the Republic of South Africa,especially, President Cyril Ramophosa and the South African Parliament, towards finding a definite and lasting solution to the ongoing act of insanity in that country against Nigerians over there. On our part as a Committee of the House of Representatives,we are already monitoring closely situations in the Republic of South Africa beyond what is being put out in the social media. We are also reaching out to Nigerian authorities and our leaders across the globe in order to see what could be done to effectively manage the ongoing carnage against our people. We use this opportunity to also appeal for calm among our people, who,understandably,may be highly agitated by the reality of the attacks. Meanwhile, our hearts and prayers go out to families whose loved ones have in any way become victims of the attacks in the Republic of South Africa. We urge patience and pray that,in the coming hours things will come under total control. Signed Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub,MHR Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency of Adamawa State. Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs.